Schroders will assume responsibility for £12.2bn ($20.22bn) of Friends Life’s multi asset and equity portfolios on behalf of Friends Life’s UK business from the fourth quarter of 2014.

At the same time, Friends Life Investments Limited (FLI) will take responsibility for a further £2.3bn of Friends Life’s sterling fixed income asset. This will bring the value of the group’s assets FLI has brought in-house since its launch in 2012 to over £20bn.

“Schroders has excellent credentials across the investment spectrum, generating superior outcomes in equity and multi asset management,” said Andy Briggs, group chief executive Friends Life. “Importantly, our two organisations share a commitment to innovation and putting customer needs first.”

“In addition to Schroders’ appointment we will also be bringing more funds in-house so that FLI will manage more than £20bn of assets. We believe FLI’s expertise in the sterling government and credit markets, combined with the multi-asset and equity skills of Schroders offer an exciting investment proposition for our existing and future customers.”

“This partnership is another important step in the development of our multi-asset business and brings new assets to a number of capacity unconstrained equity strategies,” added Mike Dobson, chief executive Schroders.

“In addition to this stable pool of long term assets we look forward to working with Friends Life to develop investment products and solutions for its retail and corporate pension fund customers.”